“Fairly Close” to a DACA Deal President Says

“Fairly Close” to a DACA Deal

“Fairly close” to a DACA deal? According to President Donald Trump, yes, this is true. He said he was “fairly close” to a deal with congressional leaders to preserve protections for young immigrants living illegally in the US – however, there is one roadblock along the way. The president insists on “massive border security” as part of any agreement.

Trump spoke with reporters before surveying hurricane damage in Florida. He pushed back against Democratic leaders who claimed there was a deal on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative. Additionally, the president announced his promised wall along the US-Mexico border would “come later.” After Trump arrived in Florida, he declared, more than once, “If we don’t have a wall, we’re doing nothing.”

Trump Says, “We’re Working on a Plan”

“We’re working on a plan subject to getting massive border controls. We’re working on a plan for DACA. People want to see that happen. I think we’re fairly close but we have to get massive border security.” Trump made it clear that there was no deal following the private White House dinner on Wednesday night with his guests, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, the top Democrats on Capitol Hill. In contradiction, Schumer, speaking Thursday on the Senate floor, insisted that both sides were in agreement and there was no dispute.

Schumer said, “If you listen to the president’s comments this morning…it is clear that what Leader Pelosi and I put out last night was exactly accurate. We have reached an understanding on this issue. We have to work out details, and we can work together on a border security package with the White House and get DACA on the floor quickly.”

Schumer and Pelosi said in a statement that the details on border security needed to be negotiated, that both sides agree “the wall would not be any part of this agreement” and that Trump said he would pursue the wall later. Soon after Trump appeared to confirm that approach. Trump said, “The wall will come later, we’re right now renovating large sections of the wall, massive sections, making it brand new.” The president also said that the Republican congressional leaders, Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell favored his approach on the immigration program. Trump said, “Ryan and McConnell agree with us on DACA.” He added that he had spoken to both of them by telehone.

It kind of feels like DACA will make it through Congress; however, it appears that “the wall” will be connected in some way as well as being the deciding factor.